Malcolm-1 Cancer-0

Hello all, yesterday was a rather long one, but ONE CHEMO TREATMENT DOWN!! It started with Dad and I heading to the clinic for labs and a brief talk with my oncologist and her helpful cancer navigator nurse.  I was gifted with a goodie bag from a local sorority including this breast cancer survivor's book, a comfy blanket, ring pop, and socks. Decked out in pink for the cause!  After receiving IV anti-nausea meds, the Adriamycin was given first in two vials followed by the Cytoxan.  I was told that my nose would tingle toward the end of the Cytoxan...not quite.  Last but not least I was given a Neulasta patch to stimulate my white blood cell counts.  I'd just like to stop and take a brief second to shout out how thankful I am to have such a loving and supporting father throughout all of this and of course my own personal guardian angel (Mama ;-) who's here in spirit.  The man you see here dropped what he was doing, carried his work with him, and...

The next week was a whirlwind.  After meeting with my oncologist, I knew that God was orchestrating my steps.  She has been fantastic from the start.  The overwhelming support from my residency family and friends has been an additional blessing.  I'm also extraordinarily thankful for the thoughts and encouragement from other loved ones (that means you :) who are praying for me during this difficult time. Week of May 21st my schedule was quickly replaced with appointments and imaging- from the reproductive specialist to interventional radiology for a lymph node biopsy.  I've seen them all!  Here's an outline of all the info you've probably been waiting to hear. Receptor status of the cancer cells: Estrogen and Progesterone receptor positive, Her2Neu negative- great prognosis! Combined Mammogram/Ultrasound/MRI breast: Evidence of several masses in the right breast consistent with biopsy-proven known malignancy.  Three abnormal lymph nodes in the ...

Monday May 21st was when I received the dreaded diagnosis- grade II, stage IIb invasive ductal cell carcinoma.  I remember writing down the information my OB so gently expressed over the phone and retaining composure by the nurses' station. I looked up at my friend Pinky across the way; she had an apprehensive expression on her face with bated breath.  Instantly a wave of sadness overcame me, and the only escape was the restroom.  This was my safe space.  After the crying and shaking abated, I was able to update Dad and other loved ones.  When I opened the door, Pinky was there.  Who knew that such a tiny person could give such big hugs?! Moments later Carolyn aka Mama C made some magic happen.  She contacted one of our current chiefs, Jonathan, who so graciously helped with scheduling an oncologist and directing me to answer the "what do I do now?" questions.  These three guys were my "medical first responders," and I'm forever grateful for the...

Need to catch some of you up to speed.   Here we go! So it all began six months ago when I noticed that my right nipple was retracted one morning.  This has never happened before, but I thought "hmm...maybe this is associated with fibrocystic change or my cycle."  Another month passed, and I did the one thing I encourage my patients not to do- put personal health on the back-burner.  There was no pain or skin changes or even discharge- no problem, right? Wrong.  I knew that an exam would be warranted, but my suspicion for malignancy was extremely low.   It wasn't until early May 2018 when I noticed some tenderness around the right breast for the first time.  "Okay.  Fine, fine; lemme schedule an appointment with my OB.  Need to get this checked out." My med-school and residency besties were firm about following through with this plan.  #SuperSupporters  Reunion 2018 in Nola #medschoolbesties Being a goofball wi...

Life is full of unforeseen trials. This is a fact that most people are all too familiar with.  I never thought that I was invincible.  I could be one car wreck away from an admission to the ICU or perhaps at the wrong place at the wrong time prior to my demise, but I never pictured a diagnosis of breast cancer at age 28.  At first I conjectured that the amount of aspartame and Splenda I've guzzled throughout the years was to blame *shoulder shrug.* No one in my immediate family has a history of breast cancer.  Did you know that one in eight women are diagnosed with this awful disease in their lifetime? Right this very moment you can probably think of more than one name of a family member or friend who is currently battling or has survived breast cancer.  It's pretty darn common. So what's my story?  Well, it's a PG-13, slightly graphic tale.  I'm in the medical field, and details are important.  You've been warned.  Step into my office, and...